Municipalities on board with OPP contract

SOUTH SIMCOE - While there are still a few details to work out, local municipalities are getting closer to entering into another five-year policing contract with Nottawasaga OPP.

Recently, Adjala-Tosorontio council gave the thumbs up to renew its contract and it’s expected New Tecumseth and Essa Township will soon do the same.

Adjala-Tosorontio passed a resolution to accept the proposed agreement at its Dec. 3 council meeting, the same day New Tecumseth council voted in favour of the contract at its committee of the whole meeting.

The cost of the first year of the contract is valued at roughly $10.2 million, which is about a $600,000 increase over the projected costs for 2012.

The percentage each partner pays is based on the workload analysis provided by police.

While it's possible the cost share percentages could change somewhat after the three municipalities sit down to hammer out the final contract, as it stands Adjala-Tosorontio and Essa would see a slight decrease on their end. Adjala-Tos would slip three points to 13 per cent, while Essa would drop one point to 30 per cent. On the other hand, New Tec's share would rise four points to 57 per cent.

Essa Mayor Terry Dowdall said his council is pleased with what's on the table.

"It hasn't been totally finalized but we are fairly happy with the proposal, so there are just a few things that need to be worked out between the three municipalities but for the most part I think we are going to go forward," he said.

Dowdall said he's also satisfied with the current service levels, which were brought up significantly over the life of the last contract through the addition of 16 new officers.

For example, he's noticed a big improvement on police's part on cracking down on speeding, one of the biggest complaints he hears as mayor.

The new contract calls for fewer hires, with three constables added over the next five years, one in 2015 and two in 2016. The staff increases could be deferred though if growth in the area is less than expected.

The updated OPP cost recovery formula also factors into the new deal. Officers' salaries will remain frozen until 2014, when an estimated increase of 8.5 per cent will kick in to bring OPP officers' wages on par with other municipal police forces in the province.

Finding money for the cost increases will be a challenge for each municipality. In Essa's case though, Dowdall said the blow will be softened.

"Fortunately Essa Township knew it was coming and we put money in the police reserves, so it shouldn't in fact work into the levy because it was planned ahead," he said.

The three municipalities will have to finalize the agreement before the current police contract expires at the end of March next year.